Hi bloggers, my name is Dana Shifley and I am finally a college senior anxiously anticipating graduation in May. I am majoring in Sports Marketing. I am from the small town of Bucyrus, Ohio and am the middle child of three. My older sister graduated from BGSU in 2007 with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies and my younger brother is a sophomore at BGSU also majoring in Sports Marketing. My parents raised the three of us in an athletic environment and I am very grateful for that. In high school, I participated in volleyball, basketball and track. I also was on the bowling team :) I have to be around sports, its my life! I am obsessed with the Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns. Despite their repetitive failure, I remain faithful to the Browns because my dad has been a season ticket holder in the "Dawg Pound" for over 26 years.
This past summer, I interned at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida in their Sports Marketing department. In Daytona I was given many opportunities to do some really great things. For example, I job shadowed Joann Mantovani, Advertising and Promotions Manager for the Daytona International Speedway during the Coke Zero 400 NASCAR race on July 4th. I also got to attend the NACMA Conference in Orlando, Florida which dealt with marketing among other things. The experience was life changing and I had a blast living on the beach!
During second semester, I hope to obtain an internship with IMG in Cleveland, Ohio. IMG is a international powerhouse marketing firm and I could learn a great deal under their wing. I am trying very hard to boost my resume as much as possible before graduation. My career goal is to work in the NFL for either the league or an individual team. I would also love to work for a successful marketing firm (IMG). If given a choice, I would move to Chicago in May and start my career in the windy city.
When asked about paying $100 to see any two athletes play, my male choice was a simple one. Being a life long Cleveland sports fan, LeBron James would be the ultimate experience well worth $100. Akron is less than two hours from my high school and I watched his team play for the state title in Columbus years ago. He has grown as an athlete and individual so much during his rookie years in the NBA. His MVP awards and tournament runs have been very entertaining and impressive to watch. I admire him for living in his hometown and raising his children there. He shuts his mouth and lets his talent speak for him. He is very deserving of the massive endorsements and media attention he has received and for a young professional, he seems to handle his fame well.
Check out my favorite LeBron commercial during last seasons playoffs:
Attending a Kerri Walsh volleyball match is the ultimate scene for me. I just watched her compete this afternoon in Chicago with another female player fresh out of retirement. Kerri is raw talent and has a killer body. She is always genuine and professional in front of the camera and judging by her interviews, she is a very family oriented woman. She was so determined during the 2008 Beijing Olympics and I admire her courage and confidence. Kerri plays 110% until the last point is decided and is quick to compliment those she wins or losses against. Volleyball has been apart of my life since 7th grade and it is a great sport. Volleyball requires constant communication and excellent coordination. It is truly a team sport that cannot compete without individual talent and effective coaching. My sister is the assistant varsity volleyball coach at my high school (Wynford) and it is fun for me to support her and the young girls.
I am anxious to learn about the concepts of this course because the gender divide in athletics has existed forever. Looking at the differences from an academic standpoint should be very interesting.
